18 & 19 Apr 2026 (Pastoral Page) A LONG OBEDIENCE IN THE SAME DIRECTION

by Mr Lim Eng

Staying the Course Together

As Brother Gift Daniel welcomed our third batch of EquipAsia participants on Sunday, 12 April 2026 at 5pm over Zoom, our hearts overflowed with thanksgiving. Approaching this nearly ten-year milestone, we are quietly yet deeply reminded that this journey has only been possible because of God’s enduring faithfulness and goodness.

It all began in 2017 with an inaugural two-year, in-person training programme in Singapore. Then came COVID-19 which reshaped our second batch (2021–2023) into a three-year hybrid journey—two years of in-country teaching conducted over Zoom, followed by a final year in Singapore. Since then, we have streamlined the programme—removing in-country teaching visits and refining it from ten modules to nine to better serve the needs of the field. And just like that, nearly a decade has passed.

Today, we celebrate 30 master trainers, 516 (in-country training) graduates, and 15 current trainees. As we look back on a decade of growth, a simple yet searching question remains: will we persevere for another ten years in what God has called us to begin?

We are reminded of God’s word: “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18)

This is not just a reflection—it is a call. Will we continue to obey and persevere—equipping native teachers across less-reached parts of Asia, so they in turn strengthen churches and plant new ones among the unreached?

The Cost of Staying the Course

The past decade has shown us that "staying the course" is rarely easy. We have seen trainees step away or move toward different callings. For this third intake, we nearly had no participants from Mongolia. We witnessed God’s timely grace when three Mongolian participants joined this intake just as hope was waning.

The physical cost is high. Our participants from Papua (Indonesia) must fly from Manokwari to Sorong; our brothers from Chennai travelled over 2,000 km north to Siliguri. The personal costs are even higher—one brother carries the weight of a high-risk pregnancy at home, while another navigates difficult relational challenges. Even before the programme began, we had to withdraw two candidates due to family and other ministry commitments. These stories remind us that the enemy does not rest in opposing God’s work.

Yet we are reminded: “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5a)

In a culture of quick results and instant gratification, God calls us to something deeper—a steady, faithful obedience over time.

A Call to Renewed Commitment

After ten years, it is natural for initial fervour to wane. We look with deep gratitude at our veteran pillars, like Sister Seah Jiak Choo and Brother Paul Lim, who continue to serve faithfully even as the years pass.

Support from our CARE Groups, once vibrant partners in this mission, has become less visible. Even our bi-monthly Asian Mission Fellowship Zoom gatherings draw only a small, consistent group.

What about the rest of us?

On the first day of training (13 April), Brother Lee Kok Wah exhorted the trainees from the book of Philippians to live with humility, unity and sacrificial love, shaped by Christ. That same call extends to our entire church family.

Whether you have been with us since 2017 or are hearing about EquipAsia for the first time, we invite you to come alongside us—to walk this “long obedience in the same direction”, to stay the course, and to remain faithful.

Prayer Requests

We covet your prayers before our Father’s throne of grace:

1. Faithfulness and commitment of participants

(India: Siliguri (3), Chennai (3); Indonesia Papua: Sorong (2), Manokwari (2) Mongolia (4))

2. Spirit-empowered teaching for:

Sister Seah Jiak Choo (OT Survey), Brother Paul Lim (NT Survey) and Brother Tan Geok Seng (Inductive Bible Study)

3. Wisdom and effectiveness for the support team:

Kwek Hui Pein, Dexter Chiang, Carol Lau, Eugene Yong and Albert Choo

4. Discernment for the Leadership team: Seah Jiak Choo, Law Le Li, Lim Eng and Gift Daniel

5. Protection and safety for participants, families, teachers, speakers, and all involved

6. Renewed interest and involvement across the church in the EquipAsia ministry

Soli Deo Gloria